"I
am very sad to announce that I am still not ready to play and have to
withdraw from this year's US Open in NYC," said Nadal. "I'm sorry since
I always found great crowds and great support.

"I
have to continue with my recoup and preparation to be ready to play in
the right conditions. I want to say hi and thanks to all the fans, in
particular to the New Yorkers. I'll miss you all this year at the Open!"

Nadal, 26, won the US Open in 2009 and lost the 2011 final to Novak
Djokovic. He has not played since last June when he was upset in the
Wimbledon second round by Czech Lukas Rosol.

"Rafa
has informed us that he will not be ready to compete at the US Open this
year and has withdrawn from the tournament," read a statement from
tournament director David Brewer. "We hope to see him back on the court
soon and look forward to his return to New York next year.”

Since his knee injury flared after the clay season, the 26-year-old
former number one has dropped out of the Olympics, plus the Toronto and
Cincinnati Masters 1000 events.